Geographical Information Science (GIS) represents one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding branches of geography.

It involves the application of computer technology to manage data about our environment. A GIS is able to collect, manipulate, analyse and present information relating to issues, question and problems in both natural and human environments. These processes are undertaken to assist in making decisions about the characteristics and location of features in the world around us.

Today, GIS is routinely used in a wide variety of public and private-sector organisations in fields such as urban planning, marketing, economic development, business planning, resource exploration, defence operations, conservation and environmental impact assessment.

GIS puts the idea of ‘place’ firmly back into geography. It embeds the use of ICT into the geography curriculum as an integral tool that is place specific.

GIS in practice
Click on the video clips on the right to hear all about the use of GIS in industry. Darrel Sheinman, founder of Polestar Tracking Systems, explains some of the commercial uses of GIS. For suggestions on the use of this as a classroom resource click on the document 'Using the website polestarglobal.com in geography lessons'.